They were going to die. Peridot was entirely sure of this. This was a suicide mission. It was necessary, but it did not make Peridot feel any better about it. They—Peridot, Ruby, Pearl, and Amethyst-were breaking into Jasper's home to save Steven. Peridot was trying to not hyperventilate. This was insane! They were all insane!

"Are you going to be okay, Peri?" Amethyst look at her behind the black mask. All Peridot could see was Amethyst's dark eyes. Everyone was decked out in all black. They were careful to cover their faces and any defining features. Peridot nodded. She didn't trust herself to speak. All this incognito shit wouldn't matter if they were caught, Peridot thought. That thought made her sick to her stomach. She had seen what Jasper did to traitors and humans. It was not a pretty picture. And they were breaking into her home. It took everything for her not to break down into hysterics.

"Okay. We all know the plan," Ruby said, taking charge. Everyone nodded. They were huddled at the base of Jasper's fort. There was a weakness in the wall that a soldier had detected years ago. It was only used one, and it ended horribly. No one dared to exploit this knowledge again. It was foolish. It was reckless. People had died. Yet, they committed it to memory. Just in case the time arose. And here they were.

There was not turning back, though. They had to rescue Steven. If they lost Steven, they lost everything. He was imperative. Peridot wiped her sweaty palms on her black pants. She swore she could hear her heart racing in her ears. There was a huge lump in her throat. What if she ran into Lapis? Peridot shook her head, banishing the thought. This wasn't the time to think about the Water Witch. She was not important. Steven was necessary. Oh, fuck. Oh, fuck. This was not going to end well.

Lapis was still recovering from Jasper's assault. Jasper was beyond furious with her. Lapis couldn't remember a time that she had made the Titan so angry. Lapis was used to Jasper being rough. She was used to being manhandled and tossed around like a doll. Sometimes Jasper would hit or smacked Lapis but not ultimately beat her. Not to a point where she could barely stand. Not to a point where her tan skin was marred with bruises and cuts. Not to a point where it hurt to get out of bed. Lapis knew Jasper was capable of such violence, and she recklessly defied her. Even if it was unintentional.

Lapis was angry at herself for being so stupid. She should have known better. It was her fault that Jasper was provoked. If she had stayed, she wouldn't have been punished. It was that simple. Lapis cursed herself again and again. No! Do not blame yourself, she instructed. DO NOT GO THERE! However, it was hard not to fall into the feelings of guilt and shame. She did this to herself. It was her fault. Her fault. She will never get home.

Jasper did not come to see Lapis. She was given her meals by a timid servant who was the only person Lapis had contact with. Jasper did not even call Lapis for their weekly dinner. This had been their ritual for centuries. Jasper made sure that it was never missed, and it made Lapis anxious when she never showed up. Lapis never thought she would want dinner with Jasper. But, that dinner indicated that everything was well. That everything was normal. Without that routine, Lapis was thrown into a state of apprehension. She couldn't sleep. She could barely eat. Her body was still sore so it hurt to move around her cell.

"I just want to go home," she cried out loud, burying her face in her hands. She was jeopardizing her chances of going home. How could she be so stupid? Lapis growled under her breath, pulling the hair at her scalp. Her fingers ached from the movement. She frowned and looked at her cut up and bruised hands. Her hands. She remembered the human's hand when she helped her up. Lapis didn't know why she dwelled on that feature. It felt nice to feel another's hands on hers. She was used to Jasper's hands. Jasper's hands were large and rough. They caused pain and misery. Even when she was tender, Lapis never felt comfortable with Jasper's hands on her. That girl's hand. It was soft and kind. Even in that quick moment where they touched. A human's hand…how strange.

Lapis never thought a human could be compassionate. Her first and only experience with a human were a horrible one. She tried hard not to bring up those memories. Lapis had buried them deep down. They were hidden under layers of other negative experiences. Most of them involving Jasper. Yet, it built the foundation to her misery. She would rather not topple everything over by recalling that awful human. Lapis lowered her hand, squeezing her eyes shut and trying to push back her tears. No. No. No. I don't need this. I don't need to remember. Not now…

A loud commotion outside her cell causing Lapis to jump and wince. She heard the sound of shuffling feet and a muted curse. Lapis could make out a female voice. She was talking to herself. Who? What? Lapis leaned over her bed and looked toward the hall beyond the force field. She wanted to investigate, but she was afraid to move any closer. To her knowledge, she was the only prisoner on the floor. Jasper and the servant were the only ones that Lapis had ever seen.

"Come on, Peridot," a voice hissed, a little closer than before. It sounded familiar. Lapis slowly stood up, walking softly and low toward the force field. A thin figure hurried passed her cell. Lapis froze in place. How did they get here? What were they doing? Was this a jailbreak? Well, that was just dumb. Who would be so stupid to break out or into Jasper's fortress? They were going to get killed.

"You!" Lapis's eyes widened. The person had backtracked and was standing in front of her cell. They were wearing all black. Their face was obscured by a black mask, but bright green eyes peered from behind the fabric. Lapis cowered back. Who was this person? They must have read her mind because they removed their mask. It was the girl from the woods! Her blonde hair was disheveled from being under the mask.

"Do you remember me? From the woods?"

"Yes," Lapis replied, flatly.

"You saved me from Jasper."

"You saved me from the tree," Lapis replied, matter-of-factly.

"Yeah. I want to say thanks," the blonde girl said.

"Is that why you broke in here? To say thanks," Lapis asked, her voice sharp with sarcasm. The girl scowled.

"What! No! I…no!" Lapis crossed her arms over her chest. This human was an idiot. Lapis didn't care why she was there. She would rather remain ignorant. However, this girl was in serious danger. She was staring at Lapis; her face was unreadable. She was deep in thought, Lapis realized. What was she thinking about?

"You need to go. I can't save you again. And if…"

"Come with me," Peridot blurted, anxiously. She looked surprised at herself. Her eyes darted around and her mouth moved but only strangled sounds came out.

"Come with you?" Lapis drew out each word as if she did not understand. She did not understand. Why was she asking her to go with her? What was her motive? "Why?"

"I can help you find your home. That's why you are with Jasper, right? Because she promised to take you back home. Well, I will help you find it. You can get away from her. Just come with me." Lapis stared, emotionlessly at her. Lapis's body tingled and her stomach plummeted at the sound of this promise. She swallowed hard, lowering her eyes. Her fingers dug into her arms.

"You can't get me out."

"I can. I can hack the controls." Peridot stepped closer, tinkering with the panel next to the electric door. In a moment, the field fell. Peridot stepped in, and Lapis heard her inhale sharply. Her eyes dashed over Lapis with pity and concern. Lapis hated that look. A wave of humiliation washed over Lapis. She had never had anyone look at her like this human. Tears burned in her eyes and she pursed her lips tightly.

"You can come with me. I will find your home."

"Why would you even bother to help me…again?"

"I saw Jasper do this to you," Peridot explained, her hands moving up and down to indicate Lapis's battered state. "I heard what she said. And…"

"I don't need you to feel sorry for me," Lapis sneered.

"I don't. Not entirely. But, if we find your home, Jasper has nothing over you. You'll be home, and you won't hurt anyone else. No one will hurt you."

"But…" whispered Lapis.

This girl was offering her a chance to go home. A chance that was getting smaller and smaller the longer that Lapis stayed with Jasper. But, she was only human. Trusting her life in a human's hands would be irrational. This girl could not be able to protect her. There was no guarantee that she would find Lapis's home. But, she doubted that Jasper would get her home either. She would be in a thrust into another unfamiliar environment. Lapis knew nothing of the world beyond her prison. And that terrified her. She would be amongst humans who she disliked and who despised her. Her life would be spent looking over her shoulder, waiting for Jasper to find her. Don't you ever leave me again or your new home will be a casket.Jasper's threat rung in Lapis's ears.

"I will keep you safe, Lapis. I promise. Last chance. We need to go now…" She offered Lapis, her hand. Lapis stared at it. It was pale and slender and inviting. Don't you ever leave me again…Humans hate you. You hate them. They will not welcome you. You will be vulnerable. You don't know what is out there. Don't you ever leave me again…Against the sickness in her stomach and the pounding of her heart. Against everything that was screaming at her that this was dangerous and reckless. Against her better judgment and every fiber of her being, Lapis took Peridot's hand.